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The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Online age-verification laws are reasonable, effective and long overdue
In recent weeks, headlines have claimed Americans are being 'dangerously misled' about age verification laws for online pornography. But what's truly misleading is the suggestion that these laws are a threat to free speech or doomed to fail. In truth, they are a long-overdue update to bring online adult content in line with offline protections for minors. Laws such as Texas's age verification law, which the Supreme Court determined last week to be constitutional, simply require websites with a substantial amount of pornographic content to verify that users are adults before granting them access. Eighteen other states have passed similar laws and more are considering them. This isn't radical or unprecedented. We already ask for ID to buy alcohol, enter a casino or watch an R-rated film in a theater. Why would watching sex online be treated differently from watching it in person? Critics argue that these laws are ineffective because tech-savvy teenagers will find workarounds using VPNs. But no state law creates an exemption that says children can access porn if they just disguise their locations. The legal obligation remains on the website to prevent access when it cannot confirm that a user is outside of a state that requires age verification. Just as online gambling platforms restrict access based on state laws, porn sites can and should use the same geolocation tools. Others suggest that age verification poses an unacceptable risk to user privacy. That may have been a legitimate concern in the past, but the technology has evolved. Today's methods — whether scanning a government ID, using facial age estimation or checking reusable credentials — can be performed entirely on the user's device, with no need to transmit or store any personal information. Even if private data is used, it is not kept. As many cybersecurity experts will tell you, the only truly un-hackable database is no database at all. It's also worth noting that age verification need not be a repeated task. Interoperable, reusable systems already exist (e.g. AgeAware). In many cases, a user can complete a check once and then reuse the result across multiple websites. And these checks take just seconds — comparable to unlocking a phone with Face ID or scanning a boarding pass. Framing this as an 'undue burden' is out of step with how people already interact with technology every day. Some critics point to education as a better solution. But this is not an either-or choice. Of course we should educate teens about healthy relationships, consent and digital safety. But education alone isn't enough. No public health strategy relies solely on education. We combine it with reasonable safeguards — seat belts, warning labels, firewalls, vaccinations. Porn literacy might help a teenager interpret what they're seeing, but it doesn't stop a 10-year-old from stumbling into violent or degrading content before he or she is ready to process it. Admittedly, the goal of age verification is not perfection. It is to stop most children from seeing most pornography most of the time. That is a reasonable benchmark. And it works, especially when combined with enforcement. Parents also have a role to play. Age verification is one layer of protection but not the only one. Families should still take advantage of parental controls provided by internet service providers, home routers, device operating systems and app stores. But these tools have limits and many parents either don't know how to use them or find them difficult to set up. That's why we need a consistent enforceable standard at the website level where the content originates. There is strong bipartisan support for these measures. A national poll by RMG Research found that 83 percent of Americans support a federal requirement for age verification on pornographic websites. That's not culture war politics. That's a mainstream consensus that children deserve basic protections online. Age verification laws aren't about banning speech. They're about updating our digital infrastructure to reflect values we already hold — that some content is for adults only and that children should be protected from harm, especially when it's preventable. Done well, age verification laws can protect children, preserve privacy and uphold adult freedoms. The real threat is not age verification — the real threat is pretending that the status quo is good enough. Iain Corby is executive director of the Age Verification Providers Association, the global trade body representing providers of privacy-preserving age assurance technologies. He is regularly called as an expert witness to advise legislators around the world on how the latest online age checks operate.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's digital identity adoption surges amid rising trust, AI integration: Report
New Delhi, As India's digital ecosystem expands at an unprecedented pace, Indian consumers are rapidly embracing new-age identity technologies while balancing convenience with security concerns, a new report said on Wednesday. The data compiled by Okta highlights that more than 30 per cent of Indian users log into ten or more personal online accounts every month -- showcasing the country's accelerating digital footprint. Amid this growth, Indian consumers are also displaying a greater readiness to adopt biometrics and AI-driven services compared to global peers. Despite the growing array of authentication methods, passwords remain the most convenient option for 82 per cent of Indians. However, biometrics are steadily gaining traction, with 55 per cent using fingerprint authentication and 35 per cent relying on Face ID for smoother logins. "Despite the new options, 82 per cent of Indians still find passwords to be the most convenient way to verify their identity," the report said. "More than half of the population (54 per cent) find it convenient to use a government ID like Aadhaar for verification purposes, followed by SMS/voice calls (44 per cent)," it added. Security perceptions remain high for passwords (79 per cent), SMS authentication (74 per cent), and fingerprints. However, risky practices persist -- 1 in 5 Indians reuse the same password across all personal accounts. India's growing trust in digital platforms is also noteworthy. As many as 67 per cent of Indian respondents trust businesses to protect their data, well above the global average of 50 per cent. This trust extends to key sectors -- banks (79 per cent), tech firms (73 per cent), government agencies (70 per cent), and online retailers (69 per cent). However, digital vigilance is rising too, with 81 per cent of Indians expressing concern about identity fraud -- significantly higher than the global average of 63 per cent. The report, based on a global survey of 6,750 consumers (including 750 from India), also found that Indians are more open to engaging with enterprise AI agents. While 65 per cent appreciate the speed and 24/7 support of AI, as many as 76 per cent still prefer human interaction. Interestingly, 64 per cent of Indians are willing to share health data with AI agents, compared to 32 per cent globally, and 49 per cent are comfortable sharing financial data, compared to 27 per cent globally. "AI is no longer a future concept -- it is embedded in the way we live, work, and connect," said Shakeel Khan, Regional Vice President and Country Manager, Okta India. Ben Goodman, SVP & GM, Asia Pacific & Japan at Okta, added, "In Asia Pacific, trust has become the true currency of digital engagement. From logins to AI agents, consumers want experiences that are seamless, secure, and respectful of their data."
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
India's Digital Identity Adoption Surges Amid Rising Trust, AI Integration: Report
New Delhi: As India's digital ecosystem expands at an unprecedented pace, Indian consumers are rapidly embracing new-age identity technologies while balancing convenience with security concerns, a new report said on Wednesday. The data compiled by Okta highlights that more than 30% of Indian users log into ten or more personal online accounts every month -- showcasing the country's accelerating digital footprint. Amid this growth, Indian consumers are also displaying a greater readiness to adopt biometrics and AI-driven services compared to global peers. Despite the growing array of authentication methods, passwords remain the most convenient option for 82% of Indians. However, biometrics are steadily gaining traction, with 55% using fingerprint authentication and 35% relying on Face ID for smoother logins. 'Despite the new options, 82% of Indians still find passwords to be the most convenient way to verify their identity,' the report said. 'More than half of the population (54%) find it convenient to use a government ID like Aadhaar for verification purposes, followed by SMS/voice calls (44%)," it added. Security perceptions remain high for passwords (79%), SMS authentication (74%), and fingerprints. However, risky practices persist -- 1 in 5 Indians reuse the same password across all personal accounts. India's growing trust in digital platforms is also noteworthy. As many as 67% of Indian respondents trust businesses to protect their data, well above the global average of 50%. This trust extends to key sectors -- banks (79%), tech firms (73%), government agencies (70%), and online retailers (69%). However, digital vigilance is rising too, with 81% of Indians expressing concern about identity fraud -- significantly higher than the global average of 63%. The report, based on a global survey of 6,750 consumers (including 750 from India), also found that Indians are more open to engaging with enterprise AI agents. While 65% appreciate the speed and 24/7 support of AI, as many as 76% still prefer human interaction. Interestingly, 64% of Indians are willing to share health data with AI agents, compared to 32% globally, and 49% are comfortable sharing financial data, compared to 27% globally. 'AI is no longer a future concept -- it is embedded in the way we live, work, and connect,' said Shakeel Khan, Regional Vice President and Country Manager, Okta India. Ben Goodman, SVP & GM, Asia Pacific & Japan at Okta, added, 'In Asia Pacific, trust has become the true currency of digital engagement. From logins to AI agents, consumers want experiences that are seamless, secure, and respectful of their data.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Indian consumers more prone to sharing personal information with AI agents: Report
While organisations are keen to incorporate AI into their functions to enhance customer experiences, consumers don't trust AI agents with their personal data yet, reveals a report. However, Indian consumers are twice as likely as those from other countries to share personal information with a company's AI agent, notes the 2025 Customer Identity Trends Report from Okta, an identity and access management company. The global study, conducted by Statista, surveyed 6,750 consumers across nine countries, including 750 from India, to explore evolving online identity behaviours. The other regions in the study included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States. Trust in businesses amid identity fraud concerns 'Indian consumers show remarkable trust in companies to protect their personal data, with 67% expressing confidence, well above the 50% global average. This extends to a 50% likelihood of sharing personal data online,' the report said. Trust levels were found to be significantly higher in sectors such as banking (79%), tech companies (73%), government agencies (70%), and online retailers (69%). Nevertheless, a substantial 81% of respondents are concerned about identity fraud, significantly higher than the 63% global average, indicating a heightened awareness of digital risks. Among all the nine countries, respondents from India showed the most concern for identity fraud. Convenience vs human touch The report pointed out that Indian consumers demonstrate a complex relationship with AI. 'They are notably more willing to share sensitive data with company AI agents compared to global averages: 64% for health data (vs. 32% global) and 49% for financial information (vs. 27% global). While 65% appreciate AI's speed and 24/7 support, a strong 76% still prefer human representatives for better understanding, and an equal 76% worry about AI's impact on their digital identities,' it noted. Around 49% were found toprefer human interaction over AI agents, while 19% expressed outright distrust. Around 54% said clear privacy/ethics guidelines would increase trust in AI agents, and 49% sought more transparency into how AI makes decisions. Passwords still rule The study also showed that India's digital engagement is soaring, with over 30% of respondents logging into 10 or more personal online accounts monthly. Despite newer options, 82% of Indians find passwords most convenient for identity verification. The report also shows that one out of five Indians reuses the same password for every personal account. The quest for easier logins is driving the adoption of biometrics, with 55% of Indian consumers using fingerprint recognition and 35% using Face ID. This highlights a growing willingness to adopt modern, secure authentication, especially from trusted brands, noted the report. 'From virtual assistants to automated decisions, people interact with AI every day. But with greater reliance comes greater scrutiny. Users expect their data to be protected and their experiences to be secure, simple, and transparent. That trust begins with identity. For businesses, mastering identity is no longer just about security; it's the strategic imperative that unlocks innovation and secures customer loyalty,' said Shakeel Khan, Regional Vice President and Country Manager, Okta India.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
One in five Indians uses the same password across all personal accounts: Report
Even as digital adoption soars in India and new authentication methods gain popularity, traditional passwords remain the preferred and convenient method for online identity verification among consumers, as per a to the Consumer Identity Trends report by US-listed identity management company Okta, one in five Indians still reuses the same password across all personal report also highlights that digital engagement is at an all-time high, with over 30% of the respondents logging into ten or more personal online accounts hold sway but there is growing acceptance of modern authentication methods. About 55% of the Indian consumers surveyed use fingerprint recognition, and 35% use facial IDs for logins."The shift to biometrics, both in India and across the globe, is evolving with a level of confidence," noted Ben Goodman, senior vice president & general manager, APAC and Japan, at Okta. "To get security right for identity, you have to have just enough friction to instill confidence, but not too much friction to dissuade someone from using a also told ET that markets with strong device uniformity (like those with widespread Apple adoption) see high usage of Face ID. India's diverse smartphone landscape, on the other hand, means "you probably don't have unilateral adoption of that being the primary method compared to other markets".Over half the population (54%) find it convenient to use government IDs such as Aadhar for verification purposes, closely followed by SMS/voice calls at 44%.The report states that almost 81% of respondents expressed concern about identity fraud , considerably more than the global average of 63%.This is at odds with the fact that consumers show remarkable trust in companies to protect their personal data, with 67% expressing confidence, well above the 50% global pointed out that this is because at the governmental and policy level, India has been much more assertive compared to other markets globally, in keeping Indian nationals' data in extends to a 50% likelihood of sharing personal data online. Trust levels are significantly higher than global averages across key sectors: 79% trust banks, 73% trust tech companies, 70% trust government agencies, and 69% trust online retailers.
